Diesel engine catalytic combustor system

Abstract

The object of the invention is to provide a low compression turbocharged diesel engine in which the turbocharger can be operated independently of the engine to power auxiliary equipment. As shown in FIG. 1, fuel and air are burned in a catalytic combustor 17 to drive the turbine wheel of turbine section 11a which is initially caused to rotate by starter motor 9. By opening flapper valve 26, compressed air from blower section 11b is directed to catalytic combustor 17 when it is heated and expanded, serving to drive the turbine wheel and also to heat the catalytic element 32 shown in FIG. 2. To start engine 10, valve 26 is closed, combustion is terminated in catalytic combustor 17, and valve 20 is then opened to utilize air from blower 11b for air driven motor 21. When engine 10 starts, the constituents in its exhaust gas react in the catalytic element 32 and the heat generated provides additional energy for the turbine section 11a.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination with an intermittent combustion engine of the type having a turbocharger with a turbine wheel driven by engine exhaust gases directed thereto by an exhaust conduit and with a blower which provides air under pressure to said engine through an intake conduit, said blower being mechanically connected to said turbine: (1) a catalytic combustor disposed in said exhaust conduit, and comprising: an elongated housing having a closed end and an open end, said open end communicating with said turbine wheel, and further having slots which communicate with said engine through said exhaust conduit, said slots being disposed in said housing in the form of an annular row;   a catalytic element disposed at the open end of said catalytic combustor;   a cylindrical combustion chamber disposed between the closed end of said elongated housing and said slots which communicate with said engine;   means for injecting fuel into said combustion chamber;   means for injecting air into said combustion chamber;   means for igniting said fuel injected into said combustion chamber;   a flared apertured tube disposed coaxially outwardly of said combustion chamber and extending toward said slots which communicate with said engine to inhibit flameout and to uniformly heat said catalytic element;     (2) a fuel supply connected to said means for injecting fuel through a first valve which may be closed to terminate injection of fuel into said combustion chamber;   (3) an air supply connected to said means for injecting air through a second valve which may be closed to terminate injection of air into said combustion chamber;   (4) means for automatically adjusting said first and second valves when said catalytic element attains a predetermined temperature whereby overheating of said catalytic element is prevented;   (5) means coacting with said means for adjusting said first and second valves to close said first and second valves when said catalytic element is at or above a temperature of 400° F. and said engine is operating whereby combustor restart is automatic when said first and second valves reopen; and,   (6) an intercooler disposed in said intake conduit to reduce the temperature of the air being provided to said engine.   
     
     
       2. The engine-turbocharger system of claim 1 wherein said catalytic element is selected from the group of noble metals which will minimize hydrocarbon emissions from the exhaust conduit by catalyzing a chemical reaction between the constituents of the exhaust gas. 
     
     
       3. The engine-turbocharger system of claim 2 wherein said catalytic element is palladium.